Danielle Wyatt made the a lot of the luck that got here her approach enroute to a memorable hundred as defending champions England confirmed their big-match temperament with a 137-run win over South Africa to enter the Women’s World Cup ultimate on Thursday.
Wyatt (129 off 125), who was dropped 5 instances, struck a maiden World Cup hundred earlier than Sophia Dunkley produced a high quality 60 off 72 balls to take England to an imposing 293 for eight after South Africa selected to bowl. South Africa, who had reached the last-four stage because the second finest group from the league stage and likewise eradicated India from the competitors, crumbled below the stress of a knock-out sport.
They may by no means recuperate from the physique blow acquired within the second over of the chase when pacer Anya Shrubsole (2/27) had match’s main run-getter Laura Wolvaardt caught and bowled. Their innings ended at 156 in 38 overs.
How good have been these two at the moment! @Sophecc19 🤝 @Danni_Wyatt #CWC22 pic.twitter.com/Iid5yS2U9n
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) March 31, 2022
Left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone accomplished the job for England by cleansing up the lower-order, ending with six wickets for 36 runs in eight overs. She had additionally hit an unbeaten 24 off 11 balls to take England near the 300-run mark.
With 5 wins on the trot after three losses that had them observing an early exit, England’s juggernaut is effectively and really rolling as they stand on the cusp of a fifth title. Their ultimate and acquainted opponents Australia, however, are eyeing a record-extending seventh crown.
“That was a complete performance from us, something we were searching for a little bit. Really chuffed that the girls have brought their best cricket when everything’s on the line,” mentioned England skipper Heather Knight referring to their comeback after a disastrous begin to their match marketing campaign.
“I think the knockout cricket that we have been playing for the last four games has helped us.” On assembly the undefeated Australia within the ultimate on Sunday, she added: “We will go in as underdogs. We have put a lot of energy in the last few weeks and need a one last push and hopefully we can do that on Sunday.”
It was a superb show of swing bowling from Shrubsole that broke the spine of South Africa batting within the run chase. Wolvaardt’s opening associate Lizelle Lee was Shrubsole’s second wicket because the out-of-form batter flicked it straight into the arms of the mid-wicket fielder, ending her forgettable marketing campaign within the ICC occasion.
After Kate Cross eliminated Sune Luus with a magnificence that seamed to nip again in sharply, the writing was on the wall for South Africa, who paid the value for his or her sloppy fielding early on within the sport. Their resolution to chase in a high-pressure sport was additionally debatable.
However, it was nonetheless a great run for South Africa within the competitors. “We needed to bring our best performance today and we didn’t and we are feeling it. We needed to be clinical today and we weren’t, it is time to keep on working,” mentioned South Africa skipper Sune Luus.
I nonetheless suppose we had an awesome marketing campaign and we’re not taking something away from that.”
